Social media enthusiasts take life-threatening risks for photos

Hoa, 27, from the northern province of Bac Ninh, fortunately fell into shallow water with a gentle flow, enabling her friends to swiftly rescue her. Despite their quick actions, she sustained a gashed chin along with various scrapes and bruises on her limbs. After initial treatment using forest leaves by locals, she required 10 stitches at a nearby medical facility.

"I wanted a photo that would impress my friends but never imagined it would lead to this," Hoa lamented, adding that she underestimated the risks, assuming the water level was low and the rocks were not slippery, despite warnings from locals about the inherent dangers of the waterfall.

A local woman in her 70s, also a long-time operator of a nearby drink stall, considered Hoa "very fortunate." She recalled other tourists who had tried to ascend the waterfall for pictures and met fatal ends.

Numerous tourists risk climbing the slippery rocks at Ma Hao waterfall in Thanh Hoa to capture photos, July 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Nguyen

Le Anh Tu, a Public Relations lecturer at Van Lang University in Ho Chi Minh City, explains that the pursuit of leisure posts on social media has surged post-pandemic, with many seeking to feature themselves on the internet

Recently, numerous social media posts have shown individuals obstructing roads and even posing in intersections for artistic shots, drawing tens of thousands of views and comments. While these acts are widely condemned for their danger, some sympathize with those affected, having been in similar predicaments.

Duc Hai, 30, from Hanoi’s Nam Tu Liem district, became an unintended victim of this photography craze. Earlier this month, while passing by Hoang Cau Lake in Hanoi’s Dong Da district, he had to abruptly stop to avoid hitting a woman photographing herself among the crepe myrtle flowers. Though he managed to avoid her, another motorist crashed into him from behind, damaging his motorcycle’s tail and exhaust cover.

"They disregard others for their photos, and now I have to spend a fortune to repair my motorcycle," complained Hai.

Dao Le Tam An, a psychology doctoral student at HCMC University of Education, notes that not only the youth but also older adults strive to capture beautiful moments before their health declines.

"As smartphones became ubiquitous over the past 15 years, creating sharp photos and videos has become easier, increasing this demand," stated An.

A 2021 study by Dr. Do Thi Anh Phuong at Hong Bang International University in Ho Chi Minh City indicated that sharing content—including photos, videos, and status updates—is among the top five social media activities for individuals aged 11-35, with 54% of participants in this age group citing it as a reason for their social media usage.

However, An cautions about the dangers of taking such risks for photos. First, it disrupts social order and city aesthetics. Secondly, risk-takers may face legal consequences. Thirdly, they can draw community ire and inadvertently encourage minors to imitate their actions.

The Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security reported on May 19 that the People’s Committee of Kien Xuong town in Thai Binh province had fined 14 women for obstructing traffic with yoga poses at the locality’s intersection of Tran Hung Dao and Nguyen Cong Thu streets. Each was fined VND100,000-200,000 (US$3.93-$7.86), with three minors among the group receiving warnings and educational talks.

14 women posing with crepe myrtle flowers in the middle of the road in Thai Binh province May 17, 2024. Photo courtesy of Kien Xuong district

On April 27, the Traffic Police Department also detained the driver’s licenses and one unregistered vehicle of four drivers for causing a five-minute traffic jam on the North-South Expressway in Hai Duong province while taking wedding photos.

"More severe than being fined, taking photos recklessly can endanger lives," An emphasized.

Each year, numerous accidents and dozens of deaths worldwide are attributed to individuals seeking unique selfies, according to a 2018 study by Indian researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. They found that between 2011 and 2017, 259 people died while attempting "extreme selfies," with the average age of the victims being 23.

About 72.5% of these fatalities were males, and 27.5% females, with the highest number of selfie-related deaths occurring in India, followed by Russia, the U.S., and Pakistan.

Zlatan Krizan, a psychology professor at Iowa State University, discussed the "competitive social comparison" seen on social media, where individuals attempt to surpass others with exciting photos.

"There’s this general phenomenon where we raise the bar for ourselves of what would be a fun selfie to take and share with others," he noted. "Nobody wants to be outdone."

While specific statistics on risky selfies in Vietnam are lacking, recent years have seen several injuries and fatalities from photo-taking in perilous locations. For instance, in July 2022, a male tourist and his rescuer both died in Binh Nin dam in the coastal province of Phu Yen while taking photos. That same month, another tourist died in the coastal city of Da Nang after slipping while climbing a high waterfall for photos.

In January 2021, an adventurer from the northern province of Son La suffered deep thigh cuts after falling into a crevice in the mountainous province of Ha Giang’s Meo Vac district while taking photos.

Local authorities in provinces like Ha Giang and Da Nang have responded by erecting warning signs, setting up barriers, and even stationing guards at popular photo spots.

A couple set up luxury cars for wedding photos on the North-South Expressway through Toan Thang commune in Hai Duong province, April 21, 2024. Photo obtained by VnExpress

An advises individuals to responsibly choose safe locations for taking photos.

"Taking photos for posting on social media isn’t wrong, but becoming engrossed in it and ignoring the real world to the extent of bothering others, breaking the law, or endangering lives is very wrong," he explained.

He also pointed out that while many interactions and compliments on social media provide a temporary feeling of happiness, the pressure to create more unique photos, which results from these interactions, can lead to dangerous situations.

After enduring 10 stitches under her chin and a dislocated leg, Hoa has grown more cautious.

"If it weren’t for this injury, I might not have realized the danger and still risked everything for a photo with a few hundred likes and admiring comments that quickly fade into the past," she reflected.